How to Decorate Ribbons

Decorated ribbons are used in a variety of crafts including hair barrettes, picture frames, jewelry, holiday decorations and mums for homecoming events. When it comes to decorating ribbons, the options are unlimited. You can decorate ribbons by sliding on beads, inserting rhinestone brads and by using a special tool to insert rhinestone or metal studs directly onto the fabric. If the ribbon is not exposed to excessive wear and tear, you can glue on embellishments, lace, and glitter. Follow the directions below to decorate a ribbon used to adorn a picture mat. The same ribbon-decorating technique can be used to for a variety of other crafts.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 5 x 7-inch picture mat
• Ruler
• Pencil
• 26-inch piece of 7/8-inch ribbon
• Round beads, 7 each of two colors
• Round beads, 9 of one color
• Initial beads
• Craft glue

1. Using a ruler, mark lightly with a pencil the halfway point of each of the four sides of the mat. Make the mark in the center of the mat margin.

2. Pinch and fold one end of the ribbon. Thread the ribbon through three of the beads, one of each color. Repeat this procedure six more times.

3. Move the beads, three at a time, leaving a 1 ½-inch space between each set.

4. Thread one round bead and form a name or word with the initial beads on the bottom tail of the ribbon. Leave a small tail hanging out of the last bead.

5. Place a very thin line of glue at the bottom of the mat in the center margin. Center the initialed beads in the margin below the picture mat opening. Press. Allow to dry thoroughly.

6. Place a small dab of glue at the bottom left corner. Move a group of three beads up the ribbon so that the center bead is lined up visually with the corner. The bead sequence should be vertical. Press the first row of three beads into the glue. Hold for a few seconds. Allow to dry thoroughly.

7. Move group of three beads up the ribbon so that the center bead of the three is directly over the center pencil mark. Place thin line of glue over the mark. Press beads firmly and allow to dry.

8. 
    

   Continue to glue ribbon at corners and center marks, with three beads in each position. Let glue dry thoroughly at one position before gluing beads in next position.

9. Glue last bead sequence in lower right hand corner. Trim the remaining ribbon to 1 ½ inches.

10. Thread the last remaining bead on the ribbon tail. Slide bead to very end of tail. Line up the bead with the end of the initial bead sequence at the bottom of the picture mat. Check to see if length of ribbon is visually similar to the ribbon length on the left hand side of the initial sequence. If necessary, adjust ribbon length by sliding bead up the ribbon

11. 
     

    Use a dot of glue to secure bead to the bottom of the ribbon on both sides. Trim the ribbon so that it is flush with the beads. Glue two ends together. Let dry thoroughly. Use fingers to puff the ribbon between each bead sequence.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose beads that are complementary in color to your ribbon. Do not try to puff ribbon between bead groups before glue is dry. Gently erase any visible pencil marks. Use different beads to add interest. You can find beads in many different styles and colors online at thebeadery.com.

References

• The Beadery

Resources

• Wholesale Ribbon